A2 verb Neutro 3 min de leitura

飼う

kau /ka.u/
Pratique Notas e dicas

Overview

The verb '飼う' (かう) is a fundamental and frequently used verb in Japanese, primarily referring to the act of keeping or raising animals, especially pets. It encompasses a broader range of actions than simply 'owning' an animal; it implies providing care, sustenance, and a home for that animal.

Usage and Nuances:

  1. 1Pets (ペットを飼う - petto o kau): This is the most common usage. When you say '犬を飼っています' (inu o katteimasu), it means 'I am keeping a dog' or 'I have a dog (as a pet).' It emphasizes the responsibility and daily care involved. It's often used for cats (猫 - neko), birds (鳥 - tori), fish (魚 - sakana), and other common household pets.
  1. 1Livestock/Farm Animals (家畜を飼う - kachiku o kau): While '飼う' is widely used for pets, it can also be applied to raising farm animals for various purposes, such as chickens for eggs or cows for milk. For example, '牛を飼う' (ushi o kau) means 'to raise cattle.' In this context, it still implies providing care and sustenance, often on a larger scale.
  1. 1Figurative Usage (Less Common): Occasionally, '飼う' can be used figuratively, though less frequently than its literal meaning. For instance, one might metaphorically 'raise' a habit or a certain way of thinking, but this is much rarer and context-dependent.

Grammar and Conjugation:

'飼う' is a regular Godan verb (五段動詞 - godan dōshi). Here are some common conjugations:

  • Dictionary Form: 飼う (kau)
  • Masu Form: 飼います (kaimasu) - Polite present/future
  • Te Form: 飼って (katte) - Used for connecting clauses, requests, ongoing actions
  • Example: 犬を飼っています (inu o katteimasu) - I am keeping a dog.
  • Ta Form (Past Tense): 飼った (katta) - Plain past
  • Example: 昔、猫を飼っていました (mukashi, neko o katteimashita) - I used to keep a cat in the past.
  • Negative Form: 飼わない (kawanai) - Plain negative
  • Example: ペットを飼わない (petto o kawanai) - Not to keep a pet.
  • Potential Form: 飼える (kaeru) - Can keep/raise
  • Example: アパートで犬が飼えますか？ (apāto de inu ga kaemasu ka?) - Can I keep a dog in the apartment?

Distinction from '育てる' (そだてる - sodateru):

While '飼う' specifically relates to animals, another related verb is '育てる' (そだてる - sodateru), which means 'to raise' or 'to bring up.' '育てる' has a broader application and can be used for:

  • Children: 子供を育てる (kodomo o sodateru) - To raise children.
  • Plants: 花を育てる (hana o sodateru) - To grow flowers.
  • Animals (with emphasis on growth/development): While '飼う' focuses on providing general care and keeping, '育てる' for animals emphasizes the process of growth and development, often from a young age or for a specific purpose like breeding. However, '飼う' is generally more common for simply having a pet. For example, a farmer might '育てる' cattle from calves, while a pet owner simply '飼う' their dog.

In summary, '飼う' is the go-to verb for expressing the act of having and caring for a pet or raising an animal, highlighting the responsibility and ongoing relationship with the creature.

Exemplos

1

猫を飼っています。

一般家庭でペットとして猫を飼っている状況

I have a cat.

2

子供の頃から犬を飼うのが夢でした。

過去の夢や願望について話している状況

It was my dream to have a dog since I was a child.

3

鳥を飼育するのは大変ですか？

ペットとして鳥を飼うことについて質問している状況

Is it difficult to raise birds?

4

彼女はアパートでウサギを飼っています。

誰かがアパートでペットを飼っている状況

She keeps a rabbit in her apartment.

5

将来、馬を飼ってみたいです。

将来の願望について話している状況

I would like to keep a horse in the future.

Colocações comuns

犬を飼う
猫を飼う
鳥を飼う
金魚を飼う

Frequentemente confundido com

飼う vs 買う

The kanji is different. 飼う (kau) means to keep or raise an animal, while 買う (kau) means to buy.

飼う vs 飼い主 (kainushi)

飼い主 (kainushi) means a pet owner, while 飼う (kau) is the verb 'to keep (a pet)'.

Padrões gramaticais

Noun を 飼う (Noun o kau): To keep/raise Noun (an animal) 飼っている (katte iru): Is keeping/raising (an animal) (present continuous) 飼われる (kawareru): To be kept/raised (passive form)

Como usar

The verb '飼う' (kau) is primarily used for raising or keeping animals. It encompasses a broad range of contexts, from domestic pets like dogs (犬を飼う - inu o kau) and cats (猫を飼う - neko o kau) to livestock (牛を飼う - ushi o kau, to raise cattle) or even fish (魚を飼う - sakana o kau, to keep fish). It implies providing care, nourishment, and a living environment for the animal. It's distinct from '育てる' (sodateru), which means to raise or bring up, and can be used for both people and plants, as well as animals, but '飼う' specifically emphasizes the act of keeping and tending to an animal. While '育てる' can imply growth and development in a broader sense, '飼う' focuses on the responsibility of maintaining an animal's life. When speaking about pet ownership, '飼う' is the most appropriate and common verb to use. It inherently carries the meaning of being a guardian or caretaker for an animal over its lifespan.

Erros comuns

Do not confuse 飼う (kau) with 買う (kau), which means 'to buy'. Although they share the same pronunciation, their kanji and meanings are distinct. Pay attention to the context and kanji to differentiate between them.

Dicas

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Usage Context

「飼う」is used specifically for keeping or raising animals, especially pets. It implies providing care, food, and shelter for an animal over time. It is not used for growing plants or raising children, for which different verbs are used (e.g., 育てる for raising children or plants, 栽培する for cultivating plants).

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Common Mistakes

A common mistake for learners is to confuse 「飼う」with other verbs that can also mean 'to raise' or 'to grow,' such as 「育てる」(sodateru). While 「育てる」can be used for animals, plants, and children, 「飼う」is strictly reserved for animals. Using 「飼う」for plants or children would be incorrect and sound unnatural.

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Related Vocabulary

Understanding related vocabulary can enhance your comprehension. Some examples include: 「ペットを飼う」(petto o kau - to keep a pet), 「犬を飼っている」(inu o katte iru - I have a dog/I am keeping a dog), 「猫を飼いたい」(neko o kaitai - I want to keep a cat). Other related terms are 「飼い主」(kainushi - pet owner) and 「飼育」(shiiku - breeding/raising animals).

Contexto cultural

The act of '飼う' (kau) in Japan, meaning to keep or raise a pet or animal, carries significant cultural nuances. Pets, particularly dogs and cats, are often considered cherished members of the family, and their well-being is taken very seriously. There's a strong emphasis on responsible pet ownership, which includes providing proper care, training, and attention. The concept of '家族の一員' (kazoku no ichiin), or 'a member of the family,' is commonly applied to pets. This is reflected in the wide availability of pet-friendly services, products, and even dedicated events like pet festivals. Additionally, certain animals hold symbolic significance; for example, cats are often associated with good luck (e.g., Maneki-neko). The decision to '飼う' an animal is typically a thoughtful one, considering the long-term commitment and the emotional bond that will develop. This cultural attitude fosters a deep connection between owners and their animals, extending beyond mere ownership to a relationship of mutual affection and care.

Dica de memorização

The kanji 飼 (shī) depicts a person feeding an animal in an enclosure. Think of yourself feeding and raising your beloved pet within the comforts of your home.

Perguntas frequentes

4 perguntas

'飼う' (かう) is a Japanese verb that primarily means 'to keep (a pet)' or 'to raise an animal'. It specifically refers to the act of taking care of and providing for animals, often with the implication of them being domestic pets or livestock. It encompasses feeding, sheltering, and generally looking after the well-being of an animal under one's care. This verb is commonly used when talking about owning dogs, cats, birds, or other pets, as well as raising farm animals like chickens or cows.

No, '飼う' is exclusively used for living creatures, specifically animals. When referring to the act of growing or cultivating plants, different verbs are used in Japanese, such as '育てる' (そだてる), which means 'to raise' or 'to grow' (and can also be used for children or animals in a broader sense of upbringing), or '栽培する' (さいばいする), which means 'to cultivate' or 'to grow' specifically for plants.

The polite form of '飼う' depends on the specific politeness level you wish to convey. The most common polite form in spoken Japanese is '飼います' (かい-ます), which is the ます-form. For more formal or humble contexts, you might use constructions like 'お飼いになる' (o-kai ni naru) as an honorific expression when referring to someone else keeping an animal, or 'お飼いする' (o-kai suru) as a humble expression when referring to yourself keeping an animal. However, '飼います' is generally sufficient for everyday polite conversation.

Yes, while '飼う' specifically focuses on keeping and raising animals, other verbs can have similar connotations depending on the context. For instance, '育てる' (そだてる) can also mean 'to raise' or 'to bring up' and can apply to both children and animals, though '飼う' is more specific to animal care. Another related concept might be '世話をする' (せわをする), which means 'to take care of' or 'to look after', and can be used for people, animals, or even things, focusing on the act of caregiving rather than ownership or raising.

Teste-se

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私は犬を___。

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
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猫を___のは楽しいです。

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
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将来、鳥を___つもりです。

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:

Pontuação: /3

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